The Brick has been awarded a Community Grant worth almost £100K for the new ‘Brick Pathways Project’, to work with people who are out of work, to enable them to move closer to employment.

The grant, awarded to The Brick for the ‘Brick Pathways Project’ is a GMCA (Greater Manchester Combined Authority) Community Grant, with funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

‘The Brick Pathways Project’ will help remove the barriers that can prevent people from reaching their potential by offering person-centred skills, mentoring, companionship, and confidence building, providing pathways to independence, training, and work, via a team of expert volunteer mentors and companions.

Keely Dalfen, CEO said: “We are delighted to have been awarded the Community Grant to roll out ‘The Brick Pathways Project’, and we are looking forward to working with over 100 people from our local community who experience multiple barriers, to help them to build confidence and pathways towards a positive fulfilling future.

“We will be working with volunteer mentors and partner community organisations and businesses, to come together to remove the barriers that people who may be long-term unemployed, can face. We will engage with them, and unlock their potential, helping to build financial resilience, maximise health and positive relationship building.”

The Brick is partnering with Maximum Edge CIC to deliver ‘The Brick Pathways Project’. Maximum Edge have extensive experience in mentoring and delivering bespoke training programmes to people who are socially isolated or may have self-limiting beliefs. Their programmes support health, wellbeing, and lifestyle management.

Dave Sheridan, Managing Director of Maximum Edge CIC said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with The Brick on this important project. Having worked alongside them for the past ten years, we have seen first-hand their role in the community, and their passion for giving opportunities to people who have otherwise got nowhere else to turn.

“We will be providing a range of training opportunities to help people see beyond their current circumstances towards a future with more hope. Our motto is #StrengtheningCommunities and we believe that by being involved in this project, we will be doing just that.”

The GMCA Community Grants Programme is allocated to community projects that engage with marginalised individuals from some of the region’s hardest to reach communities; supporting them to remove barriers that prevent them engaging with education, training, or employment.

Councillor David Molyneux MBE, Leader of Wigan Council said “The Brick is a phenomenal local organisation who have delivered so much support and help to keep people out of poverty.

“This new project goes beyond helping in financial hardship, to helping local people gain the skills and confidence to move towards the workplace, with a team of mentors.

“By enabling people to overcome the challenges they face, this project is sure to have a positive long-term effect on the people it impacts.”

If you are interested in volunteering for the new ‘Brick Pathways Project’, please contact Tamzin@thebrick.org.uk.